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Epilogue

O ne Month Later

Brianna

Life onboard the Lazy Slacker can be harrowing, so we’ll use any excuse to have a party. Tonight’s excuse can be blamed on me—I’ve organized a game of charades. Yeah, I can see the folly of my plan, none of these big aliens know a thing about Earth’s pop culture references. But then again, none of us Earth women know the names of the two thousand gladiator drinking songs these guys have a penchant for singing at any given opportunity. I guess we’re even.

I realize I’m absentmindedly fondling the pendant that hangs between my breasts. I haven’t removed it since Axx placed it over my head a month ago. It symbolizes every wonderful thing about my life, and right now, there are so many wonderful things I can barely track them.

Dax made me a massage table. You’d think his huge fingers would be clumsy, but he’s the handiest male I’ve ever met. I’ve set up shop in the ludus , giving massages to anyone who asks. I enjoy feeling like I’m a productive part of our big family.

Speaking of our big family, just about everyone is here in the dining room, cleaning up after the amazing dinner Maddie made. Tonight was Vren cordon bleu with pearled hespers—delish.

The guys are moving tables and setting up for us to break into two groups for our game of charades. Shadow’s picking up a long table single-handedly, showing off his muscles for Petra, although I don’t know why. The way she looks at him, like he hung the moon, leaves no doubt that she’s crazy-in-love with him.

Blue Dr. Drayke and Nova have finally gotten to the point where they can leave their room and keep their hands off each other for hours at a time. Although you’d never know it by looking at them now. Nova’s on his lap, and he’s feeding her the last bites of dinner. I understand they have a mindlink, and by the looks of it he just shared something so filthy with her she’s blushing a deep shade of crimson.

Sirius is seldom seen in the company of more than one person at a time, and usually he’s got his back safely against a wall. However tonight the siren song of chocolate cake has lured him away from the edges of the room. To look at him you’d never know how emaciated he was only a month ago. Whatever the Feds did to his genes, he definitely looks strong and healthy now.

Axx and Braxx convinced Zar to give him a cabin instead of a cell. They’ve kind of adopted him. My guys coaxed him to eat with us a few times, and it’s been surprising to get to know him. I believe he’s the smartest being I’ve ever met. And kind. I don’t know how someone who’s been beaten and abused his whole life can be so full of compassion. All I know is he saved Axx’s life, and for that, I’ll always be in his debt.

Zar’s got his ubiquitous pad with him, he probably has a few announcements he wants to share. Raised a slave all his life, he takes everything very seriously, which is good because he’s in charge of keeping us all alive. I love watching him and his “beloved Anya” as he calls her. They look at each other the way I always yearned for.

And speaking of yearning, here come my guys. They left after dinner and I wondered if there was a surprise in store for me. They must have gone to our room to change, because look at them, striding in wearing their sexy black leather gladiator togs.

Honestly, I don’t know why they bother, they don’t have to try to impress me. They could be wearing rags and I’d still want to jump their bones.

“Hey handsomes,” I say as I hurry to greet them. “You guys look terrific.”

“And you look beautiful as always, Brie,” Axx tells me, his eyes openly full of love.

“Your flattery is great, but don’t think for a minute you’re going to escape your punishment,” Braxx scolds me.

“But I didn’t earn any punishments today,” I protest.

“Don’t worry, we’ll think of something.” Braxx winks at me with a lascivious grin.

“I can’t wait,” I say with a smile, although we’ve got all the time in the galaxy.

The End